Equity and Justice Archives - Messy Jesus Business

Note from the editor: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Messy Jesus Business podcast and blog schedule have been switched around this month. Check back the next two weeks for our final podcast episodes, with many more blog posts to follow!  Modern Christians often fail to discuss that the Christian Church was established during a time of widespread violence and persecution. Our creeds were drafted, faith traditions formed, and the community of believers expanded during a time when it was risky to declare that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. We seem to forget that Christian devotion was never about being comfortable, cozy, or complacent.  We often fail to proclaim that living the Gospel, following The Way of Christ, is meant to be dangerous.  For about the first 300 years of Christianity, the Pax Christi (Peace of Christ) that Christians professed was in stark contrast to Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) that defined the structures of the Roman empire. The founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, repeatedly told his followers to “be not afraid.” Meanwhile, the governmental structures of the time ruled through fear: controlling the populace with oppression by taxation, slavery, and ongoing threats and violence.  A read-through of the New Testament reminds the modern believer that the early Christians were not only dealing with violence and persecution, but they were filled with a fierce hope that Jesus Christ was about to return. (See 1 Peter 4; James 5:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 2; John 5:28-29; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28 and elsewhere.) Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. --Romans 12:9-18 The early Church mothers and fathers were motivated to be moral because they wanted to be ready for Jesus’ return, they wanted to be “caught doing good.” Their hope for Jesus’ return motivated them to be generous, hospitable, prayerful, and bold in their acts of compassion, mercy, and justice, finding ways to include the outcast, the poor, ill, and migrants into their underground, subversive communities. They understood that those in need were the face of Christ.  Photo by Kenta Kikuchi on Unsplash Compare these foundations of Christianity to Advent in the United States nowadays. Christians often avoid the discomfort of our faith. Instead, we succumb to the cozy culture of commercialized Christmas: trendy décor, consumerism, waste, and general gluttony. See the examples of the silly and expensive so-called Advent calendars to see how far we have drifted from the Tradition of resisting the violence of empire and having hope in Jesus alone.  Nowadays, those who are comfortable feast on the festive feelings while gaps grow between rich and poor, families are torn apart, people are detained and tortured, and the US government protects the interests of billionaires and the war machine. Bombs are falling and systems are collapsing, yet we snuggle into the sofa to be numbed by sugared Hallmark holiday cheer.  Here's the thing: I like being cozy and comfortable too. I believe in the power of sabbath, rest, and retreat. And, during the Advent season, I love lighting candles, singing along with cheery music, baking cookies, writing cards and notes, and visiting people I love. When I pray at home during the Advent season, I’m usually snuggled into a fluffy blanket. I have more than enough to eat, and don’t fear a raid, detention, or warfare. The calm and quiet is so ordinary, that I could easily take it for granted. If I am not staying awake, I could quickly cocoon into safety and avoidance. What is the nature of a soul that is waiting for the return of Jesus Christ? If we remain rooted in our faith tradition, Advent actions will move us from the sacred stillness to a spirit of bold generosity and compassion. We give up our plans and preferences for the sake of the other. I was reminded of this recently as I accompanied a couple people dear to me through surgeries and recoveries and then some Emergency Room visits. To be present and centered on what’s most important– such as compassion for another—I had to adjust and be flexible, changing the date of a podcast interview and the release of an episode.This may not be a radical act, but it was a great reminder for me about the need to be ready, open, and available for whatever newness Christ is sending.  Photo by Duncan Shaffer on Unsplash As we wait and prepare for the coming of Christ, let’s remember the faith of our ancestors who were resisting tyranny and oppression by staying devoted to nonviolent Christian love and accepting the cost of commitment. We even may need to expect persecution as we risk comfort for the sake of the other. Let’s give what we can to those in need.  Let’s not worry about what we will receive, or the fruits of our efforts; let’s put our trust in God’s goodness. And then, awake to Christ already with us and with hope in the coming of Christ, let’s stay faithful to our mission to love.  For more by this author and more about Advent, visit our web site.

Episode 70 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe:  Email | RSS | More IN THIS EPISODE In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh, FSPA, enjoys a conversation with Kerry Alys Robinson, CEO and President of Catholic Charities USA, who shares that witnessing the joy and faith of Catholics serving others in her childhood sparked her own inspiration and desire to serve behind the scenes in pursuit of the common good. “True leadership is service,” says Kerry. “It is a disposition of other-centeredness.” Expressing her passion for Catholic Social Teaching, she addresses the realities of wealth gaps and classism and how injustice can divide the people of God. Responding to the needs of the people of God, Kerry emphasizes, requires not competition but charity and justice. “Generosity is humankind's birthright,” says Kerry about the call to kindness, both to oneself and to others. Together she and Sister Julia explore the messiness of diversity, polarization, judgment and how a life of service and prayer require openness to the other. Says Kerry, “Everything belongs and is interconnected.” ABOUT THE GUEST Catholic Charities USA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson is a noted expert in Catholic leadership and philanthropy and only the second woman and second layperson to lead the U.S. Catholic Church’s domestic humanitarian work. In the past year, the nationwide Catholic Charities network served more than 15 million people in need. For decades, Kerry has served the church and its mission to alleviate human suffering. Most recently, she was an executive partner at Leadership Roundtable, which since 2005 has promoted excellence and best practices in the management, finances and human resource development of the Catholic Church. She was the group’s founding executive director. Prior to that, Kerry served as director of development for Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University, leading a $75 million fundraising campaign to expand and endow the chapel’s ministry and construct a Catholic student center. A member of the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities and FADICA (Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities), she has been an advisor to and trustee of more than 25 grantmaking foundations, charitable nonprofits and family philanthropies. She served for 15 years on the national committee for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Robinson is an accomplished writer and speaker and wrote the prize-winning Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy and a Spiritual Call to Service. A graduate of Georgetown University and Yale, Robinson is married to Dr. Michael Cappello, professor of medicine and public health at Yale University. They have two children, Christopher and Sophie. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Produced and edited by Colin Wambsgans. Email us at [email protected] BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

Episode 69 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe:  Email | RSS | More IN THIS EPISODE In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh, FSPA, talks with Mary J. Novak, executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice in Washington, D.C. Mary shares life experiences that proved her power to serve and respond to human suffering. They get into the mess of human oneness and the necessity for collaboration in response to existential threats like the climate crisis and the fragility of democracy. Their conversation explores the Catholic tradition to “meddle in politics,” voting rights and why it’s essential for us to focus on strengthening democracy. In answer to Sister Julia’s question, “are we called to imagine new systems?” Mary responded, “We all need structures in our lives for us to flourish. Maybe there’s a better way for us to put democracy together, but much is still working right.” Mary added that “this is an evolutionary moment, and so how do we keep showing up and how do we surround ourselves with community? Democracy is about participating.” ABOUT THE GUEST Mary J. Novak is the sixth executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, and the first lay leader to guide the organization founded by Catholic Sisters 50 years ago. She is also an associate member of the Congregation of St. Joseph. Mary’s experience as an organizer and activist as well as a trauma-informed lawyer, educator, chaplain and restorative justice practitioner informs her ability to integrate all aspects of the organization to advance NETWORK’s mission. These experiences have also inspired her to initiate a shared leadership model for the first time in NETWORK’s history. Together the leadership team is positioning NETWORK for the future, strengthening relationships with partners who serve the common good, and ensuring that the NETWORK community flourishes in the shared pursuit of justice. A graduate of Santa Clara University Law School and Washington Theological Union, Mary also studied theology and spirituality at Santa Clara University. Prior to leading NETWORK, Mary served as associate director of mission integration and a law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Mary served as Catholic Mobilizing Network’s founding board chair and is currently chair of the advisory board for the University of St. Thomas Law School’s Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Produced and edited by Colin Wambsgans. Email us at [email protected] BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

Episode 63 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe:  Stitcher | Email | RSS | More “Prayer has to push you to do something outside yourself.” -Kristina Ortega IN THIS EPISODE For the latest episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia is in conversation with Catholic educator and inclusivity advocate Kristina Ortega. Their conversation explores prayer and spirituality, advocacy, being women in the Catholic Church, and the value and neccessity of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in Catholic education. Kristina also talks about how her own Mexican heritage is essential to her own experience of being Catholic. Kristina admits that being a woman in the church is experience of joy but also can be frustrating. She sees this in the girls’ Catholic schools where there is a “stained-glass ceiling.” To counter this she teaches a theology that allows her students to say “I see myself.” When talking about doing DEI work at a Catholic School, Kristina makes connections to incarnational theology. As she says, to protect the image of God and honor the dignity of the human person, all people need to be honored for who they are and according to their culture, socio-economic status and gender identity. The church can do strenthen this part of its mission, Kristina says, by allowing more lay leadership. ABOUT THE GUEST Kristina Ortega was born and raised in Los Angeles and is the product of 18 years of Catholic school. She has a BA and an MA in Theological Studies from Loyola Marymount University and has taught in Catholic high schools since 2001. She is a Minister of Liturgical Movement in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and serves on two of the planning committees for the LA Religious Education Congress. Kristina is currently the Coordinator of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA. She has contributed a chapter to a book forthcoming in Summer 2023, "Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church." Outside of ministry, Kristina is a docent at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican-American art, culture, and history museum in LA. She and her family are members of Dolores Mission Parish in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Produced and edited by Colin Wambsgans. Email us at [email protected] BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness LISTEN HERE:

Episode 52 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe:  Stitcher | Email | RSS | More "Christ is The Way and whatever is in the way is The Way." - Sister Eileen McKenzie crosses on the camino de santiago. April 2017. photo by julia walsh FSPA IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh talks with another Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, Sister Eileen McKenzie. Their conversation explores the complexities of the call to Christian life and the challenges of working for justice. Sister Eileen also shares her insights about what Catholic religious life is becoming, the meaning of religious vows and the struggle to be Christ-like as we become instruments of Truth and healing. Sister Eileen also shares about the lessons she learned about messiness while walking the Camino de Santiago, saying that "Christ is The Way and whatever is in the way is The Way." ABOUT THE GUEST: Sister Eileen McKenzie, who has ministered as a nurse, researcher, and acupuncturist, is concluding a term of service as the FSPA community as president. Her ministries have taken her throughout the United States and West Africa, and for the past 15 years, she has been centered in the upper Mid-west, serving in St. Paul, Minnesota, and more recently La Crosse, Wisconsin. She founded FSPA Community Acupuncture and was a founding member of Integrative Therapies of La Crosse, a collective of holistic practitioners dedicated to making their services affordable and accessible for people in the region from 2010 to May 2020. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine and has completed a predoctoral fellowship in clinical research. Sister Eileen has devoted time and energy for many health, justice and mission service-oriented organizations both locally and internationally, and is particularly interested in the intersection of social justice and healing movements. She is enamored by Franciscan spirituality and an ardent discerner of Pope Francis’ call to create cultures of encounter. Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on the Camino de Santiago MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is produced and hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Email us at [email protected] BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness LISTEN HERE:

In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, Sister Julia Walsh talks with Father Adam Bucko about contemplation, action, new monasticism and the messiness that permeates it all.

In Season 2, Episode 2, Sister Julia Walsh talks with Steven P. Millies about the believer's role in our highly-politicized ecosystem. We also dive down into the interplay of sin and polarities, the importance of trusting in Divine timing and our jobs as Catholics working on the assembly line on the project of building God's reign.